2011 news archive

Dec 2011 Iridium Mill Upgrade

Following on from the process study for Johnson Matthey Noble Metals, based in Royston in the UK, Parkegate have now won the order to upgrade the Iridium rolling mill. Offering a range of operational benefits, the upgrade is scheduled for the second quarter of 2012.

Nov 2011 Article in Aluminium Times

In the October/November 2011 Issue of Aluminium Times, CJM/Parkegate discuss the marketing of used metal processing equipment. A copy of the published article can be found in the Publications / Articles section.

Oct 2011 Parkegate Takes on New Apprentice

Parkegate has recently taken on their first new apprentice since the start of the recession in 2008. The externally managed apprenticeship is structured over a period of 4 years and includes both theoretical and practical training, on top of which our apprentice, Bradley Heath, will also receive hands on work experience within the company involving office and site based activities.

Parkegate is very proud to be able to support the new generation of engineers and, as part of the company’s growth plan, intends to take on further young recruits in the coming years.

Oct 2011 Parkegate Successfully Add to the Engineering Team

Following the recent recruitment drive, Parkegate has supplemented its engineering team with another 5 professional design engineers. With a high ongoing workload and recent demands on Parkegate expertise, the new engineers add to Parkegate's wealth of engineering knowledge and experience, bringing with them a range of skills such as finite element analysis along with a familiarity of a variety of 2D and 3D CAD packages.

With their diverse range of experience in the metals and other industries, these designers will contribute to an environment that allows Parkegate to design the innovative solutions required to meet client’s needs in an ever more competitive market.

Parkegate continue to look for engineering talent and would be happy to discuss further opportunities with any interested design engineers.

Sep 2011 Parkegate Expanding

To cope with the ongoing expansion of the team, Parkegate have taken on additional office space at Winchester Place. The existing offices have now been dedicated to the engineering team, with the reception, project management and sales relocated to the new office. As a consequence, visitors should now report to 4 Winchester Place on arrival.

Jul 2011 Parkegate to Upgrade Silicon Steel Cold Mill

Parkegate, with a successful track record in the upgrading of 20 High Cluster Mills, have now secured a major upgrade order in Poland. The upgrading of the ZR21B-44 Cold Mill at Stalprodukt SA works has been won in partnership with ABB, and will provide a range of mechanical and process improvements for the production of high quality Silicon Steels.

For Parkegate’s part, the equipment supply for the project comprises a number of elements; the upgrading of the mill actuators relating to screwdown, crown and lateral side shifting of the first intermediate rolls, will provide the mill with the capability for closed loop strip shape control and improved thickness tolerance performance, while other equipment provides improvements to strip threading, coil handling plus strip cooling and wiping performance.

To complement these changes, Parkegate are providing either new or upgraded solutions for the main drive gearboxes and motor lubrication systems, as well as replacing the existing hydraulic systems and upgrading of the roll coolant and bearing lubrication systems. Supervision of installation and commissioning assistance is also being provided to ensure a smooth and successful start up. The project is scheduled for delivery within 10 months.

Jul 2011 Used Plant Sale - Foil Mills and Associated Equipment

Parkegate Engineering, in association with their partners CJM Asset Management, has recently signed an agreement with Millenium Metal Trading LLC, Sharjah, UAE for the purchase of a range of used equipment from the Volpiano facility of Comital Spa.

The equipment includes 3 foil mills, a foil separator, roll grinder and 4 foil annealing furnaces along with a range of peripheral equipment.

The final location of the equipment is still to be decided but the intention is to add a thin foil rolling capability to Met Trade India’s current operations. When the equipment is installed the end product will be aluminium foil down to 6 microns thick for a range of packaging applications.

Jun 2011 Speed Increase Study for Strip Miller

In order to cope with increased demand, B Mason and Sons are looking to maximise throughput of their existing strip miller. They have therefore employed Parkegate to assess current practices, review the impact on the existing equipment and define the requirements for the new duty.

Jun 2011 Parkegate restart work on Brazilian Steel Mill Upgrade

Armco do Brasil have now re-instated their project to upgrade their carbon steel cold mill. The original contract to upgrade the relocated mill, has now been supplemented with a number of new items including the addition of AGC cylinders, new mill sprays, strip guiding, coil retraining rolls and the associated services.

Jun 2011 Aluminium Cold Mill Study for Parkegate

Parkegate have been employed by Hydro Karmøy, Norway, to carry out an equipment study on their aluminium cold rolling mill. The muti stage study will consider a wide range of potential improvements to the mill and the asscociated equipment.

Apr 2011 Parkegate Engineering Celebrates 15 years in The Industry

Parkegate Engineering started trading on 1st April 1996 with a full order book and has traded successfully for the past 15 years. This date is regarded by many as April fools day but has been a lucky date for Parkegate. One of the original local companies from which many of the Parkegate team originated was Loewy Engineering which latterly became Davy Poole. Coincidently, Loewy Engineering was founded on 1st April 1936 exactly 60 years earlier.

Many of the precepts, qualities and traditions from these past companies have found their way through evolution into the Parkegate of today. We are proud of our history and believe that the services and engineering qualities offered by Parkegate reflect well on our past

In 15 years of operation, we have grown from the original team of 16 to a position where we have established relationships with more than 100 international customers, for whom we have completed more than 800 projects.

Congratulations to the Parkegate Team and thank you to all our valued customers.

Activity on site is remarkable. The line foundations are already half complete and the rate of concrete pour is reputed to be the largest in India. Hundreds of steel fixers, carpenters and other trades are due to complete by the end of March. Machine installation will follow.

PEC are the designer for the upgraded Aluminium Hot Line taken from Novelis Rogerstone in the UK. The line will produce canstock for domestic and Middle East markets.

PEC secured the order in late 2009 in consortium with Converteam.

Jan 2011 Parkegate start the year with a new process study order

Johnson Matthey Noble Metals, based in Royston in the UK, have selected Parkegate to undertake a process study on their Iridium rolling mill.